Like most, I understand that technology changes daily. But you do not know about the latest advance in GPS Tracking systems. This new technology has taken us to a higher plain in Tracking, Locating, Management and Protecting our Business or Personal vehicles in addition to monitoring teen/elderly drivers. It has become the World-Leader in this field and gives you value and capibilities no other system can even come close to; not even the well known ones like GM's OnStar® or LoJack® . After being sold to Government and large companies, it has now been made available to the public. If you would like complete details visit the company web site at www.findvehicle.net 

Or you can go directly to CBS news station KPIC Channel 4 in Roseburg, OR at www.kpic.com/younews/20154574.html and see what some actual cusomers had to say.

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Larry Kilburn
Big K Towing & Repair

Indeed this technmology exists, but at a steep price.  It's a good tool  for overbearing parents to track thier kids (those who don't teach common sense as talked about in your earlier posting), or if you are that worried about having your car stolen (a greater probability given Lane County's financial predicament right now).

I did find a statement on their web site interesting:

"Near real-time GPS location updates, satellite photos of your vehicle and even misuse alerts are all at your fingertips."

Unless you are a government agency or have lots of money, you likely cannot order a "satellite photo of your vehicle".  Later in the ad, it states it properly, that you can get a satellite photo of where your car is.  Every few years, these photos are updated, so they are NOT real time (again, unless you control the satellite or are willing to pay the price, likely in the thousands, or more).

The nice thing about this type of technology is that you can opt out of this type of use, unless you are beign stalked by someone who puts such a device secretly on your vehicle or you are a criminal element.  If something like this is likely, you have more things to worry about than nwanted technology invading yoiur life.

 

You are correct in the fact that the satellite photos are older views of the position of your vehicle; this has been made necessary because of the 9-11 attacks on our country. You would not want a terrorist to be able to see you in "real time" but it will give you real time street level mapping of your vehicle location at once every 1/10 of a second.

 

You failed too mention that this system also uses the latest digital cellular technology from AT&T global network. That is where the instant real time notification comes from.

 

As for the cost, you say it is at a "steep price" what do you consider steep. At $549.95 most parents spend much more too equip the vehicle with a nice stereo and it will do little more than play music. In addition, had you taken the time to look at the web site, you would have found that this system is recognized by most insurance companies and will get you up to a 33% discount depending on the State and company. Also listed on the web site are 11 States that mandate lower insurance for this type system, these savings alone would pay for the system!

 

Moreover what part of this system  is "invading your life" I would be more worried about the cell phone I am sure you carry, it has GPS tracking installed in it and you have no control over who uses it.

 

The owner controls this system, no third party is involved. It was designed solely to protect your business, assets and family. You failed to mention any benefits like:

1. Your vehicle will call you instantly(within 30 seconds) if it is stolen, moved, been involved in an accident exceeded a speed limit and much more.
2. You can remotely lock/unlock your doors, disable the vehicle or operate any onboard electrical device (in real time).
3. Many large companies use this system to protect their vehicles and cargo and monitor driving habits i.e. speeding, leaving a preset route and much more.
4. Reporting functions like, it will let you know when time to change oil, fastest speed of the day vehicle route and many more.

 

This device has been shown on the Discovery Channel® and ABC CBS news stations, this is also on the web site under the Media Link. This system is used for companies to track, locate and manage any asset. It is also used in the private sector to prevent vehicle theft, locate an elderly driver that has gotten lost and keep track of your teenage driver. I may be overbearing, but if my child were speeding, somewhere they are not supposed to be, or involved in an accident I for one would like to know! Alternatively, maybe just to unlock my door when the keys were left inside, this would save me $75.00 bucks by itself.

 

In conclusion

 

If you were to take the time and fully research the web site; you would find this system offers a multitude of features not found anywhere else and it does it for a very reasonable price (less than any other).

www.findvehicle.net

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Larry Kilburn
Big K Towing & Repair

I don't disagree with the technology, and even have GPS navigation in my car.

I did take the time to researched the web site (thanks for assuming that I hadn't)  and agree that the features you point out are nice.  But for me, I don't see the benefit.  I've been fortunate to never have a car stolen, never locked my keys in the car, and have taught my teens (many years ago) to drive properly and responsibly.  I never checked on them, monitored them, or felt that I needed to.  Sure I worried about the other guys, but we always touched base when travelling, etc.

The technology just wouldn't, or hasn't, done anything for me over the past 5-10 years.  It's like AAA roadside assistance.  I have friends who swear by it and it's helped them.  I've never had an instance, save for once several years ago when I needed a tow (my regular insurance paid for it), where anything that AAA provides was needed.  For my particular car, my age, and my circumstances, I would not realize significant savings from my insurance company by having this technology (yes, I did check).  It would take almost 10 years to pay for itself for me.  Again, it's great technology, it's just not right for me.

A charmed life?  Maybe.  I prefer to think that I take care of things so I don't have to rely on anything like this.  I use the GPS navigation in my car, but I also have folding maps in my glove compartment.

I also don't feel invaded at all.  But I was merely pointing out that some drivers DO feel invaded by technology.  Some people really don't see the need for cell phones either.  I do have a cell phone, but I don't give them the feeling that they are foolish to not get one.

I have no doubt that some of these features will be on my future cars, but don't see the need at this time.

Thank you for the clarification, I would like to point out however that the reason I assumed you did not research the entire web site was the fact you opted to only criticize without even a mention of the good it can provide.

 

I am also happy for you in respect to not having had any problems where this type of technology would have been beneficial to you.

 

Myself and a great percentage of the population has not fared so well, I would like to think I have “taken care of things” as well, I am in my late 40’s and have owned and operated a successful Towing and Repair business for nearly 30 years and put both of my children through college.

 

However, that had little comfort when my wife’s vehicle was stolen while we were in a friends business having coffee.  I too had a vehicle stolen from my parking spot at my own business during the night, this was an older pick-up that only had liability on it, I had bought this truck in 1977 and it was in perfect condition with many years of memories. My friends in the Police Department found it three days later or what was left of it anyway. I wish I had this system back then; it would have saved much heartbreak.

 

I do not know where you live, but I live in a small (5000) population town in west central Oregon I have been in this area all my life. I can remember never locking my doors, but the sad reality of it is, that crime has grown right along with technology. Hence, no matter where you live at some point you will wish you had something like this.

 

Not to mention the benefits it provides businesses in recouping lost revenue from employee unauthorized use of vehicles, wasted fuel from speeding or idling, theft and a full selection of “real time” reporting.

 

One last thing, it is funny that you mentioned that cars would have this technology. When this system was first developed, Ford Company approached the manufacture (Horizon Technology LLC) and wanted to equip all Ford vehicles with this system as a standard feature. This was to be a direct blow to the well-known OnStar® system as this had many more features and less costly. Nevertheless, the manufacture declined stating they wanted the technology available to anyone and for any vehicle. By the way Crater Lake Ford in Medford sells this system as an aftermarket add-on (the only one they sell)

 

 

www.findvehicle.net

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Larry Kilburn
Big K Towing & Repair

Do you honestly think our government want GPS on our vehicals to help us??? HELLO no they want it to amke us pay a higher gas tax so they can fix roads or put it in their pockets. Did we for get this is our government we are talking about. More than likely You will be paying for this GPS then you will be paying the tax. If you get in trouble for any reasone what so ever they need to know where you were, guess what they now know & you gave them permission. Thisa is not ok Our government wants to track us now, they arleady do with chips in our pass ports. The US is the land of the free, They already took away our freedom for speech.( Yes they did you don't tase people for asking honest questions!!) Now big brother wants to track us, I don't think so. These are the same people who took your hard earned tax money & 700 billion dollars for the banks to go on vacation. Did you all forget?  We all need to think before we agree!!!! Oh remember you rights that our forefathers fought for, read your constitution & remember your amendments, This is what they fought for!